CHAPTER 6: "The Arrival of Shadow Garden"

Suddenly, Ajib received a notification: “SHADOW GARDEN has arrived.”
He froze, completely confused, and before he could react, everything went black—he fainted.

A shadowy figure stepped closer, gazing down at him.
“I didn’t expect to see you like this… WILDCARD,” the figure said.

From behind the Shadow Garden, the Joker appeared with Rax at his side.
“Finished before me?” the Joker smirked. “Ah, I’ve lost this time.”

“Where’s Hiori?” Shadow Garden asked.

At that moment, Hiori stepped out from behind and raised her hand.
“It’s me.”

“Keep your distance and help him,” Shadow Garden ordered.

Hiori walked over to Ajib, knelt beside him, and examined his condition.
“He’s in bad shape,” she said, lifting her hand. A faint light surrounded Ajib, and moments later, he was completely healed.

Rax, a bit surprised, said, “Alright, I get that you came to save us… but I can’t stay silent anymore. Tell me—why are you here? Who are you?”

The Joker chuckled. “We’re from your family. Don’t you recognize us?”

“No,” Rax replied firmly.

The Joker thought to himself, Who did I even save?
Turning to Shadow Garden, he asked, “Do you think Solaiman is this person… or not?”

Solaiman shook his head. “I’m not sure, but it seems so—because everyone wants to kill him. He’s the protector of freedom.”

The Joker frowned. “Why speak so harshly? Keep things in perspective—your health will be better.”

Solaiman shot him a serious look.
“Hey,” the Joker said casually, “you know I’m a joker.”

Just then, Ajib suddenly sat up. “I’m alive?”

“Yes,” Solaiman replied. “I came here for a reason.”

“Who are you?” Ajib demanded, his eyes narrowing at Rax.

Solaiman said, “Look carefully at who we are. If you’re the right person, you’ll understand soon enough.”

Ajib scowled. “Alright, I get it—you’re with that mafia. But if you saved us, why torture us?”

“Ajib,” Rax interrupted, “they saved both me and you.”

Ajib stood beside Rax, then turned to face the group.
The Joker, watching him, thought to himself, This kid… wants to be a joker when he grows up.

Ajib reached into his weapon inventory and pulled out a dagger. He pressed it lightly against Solaiman’s neck.
“If you want to kill me, do it now,” Ajib said coldly. “But remember this—betray me once, and you’ll regret it. I might be new here, but I’m not weak.”

Solaiman met his gaze and, in that moment, realized—Ajib was the real WILDCARD.

“Let’s go,” the Joker said to Solaiman.

Without another word, Solaiman turned to leave.
On the way, he asked the Joker, “Where’s HOLLOW?”

“He’s not coming,” the Joker replied. “He believes no Wildcard will survive this time.”

“So he plans to come after it’s over?” Solaiman asked.

“I don’t know… really,” Joker said with a shrug.

From the side, Hiori chimed in, “Hey, you’re not going to tell him? You’re not the real Joker—he’s just waiting for a chance to kill you.”

The Joker raised an eyebrow. “Strange… we’re in the same group, yet one of us wants me dead?”

Hiori laughed. “Don’t get tense—you’ll die eventually. Otherwise, where would my entertainment come from?”

Meanwhile, Solaiman thought to himself, I’ve stood by six times before… but not this time. I’ll try to keep them alive. This time, I’ll be free.

Elsewhere, Ajib apologized to Rax. “Brother, forgive me. It’s not my fault—they attacked me.”

“No problem,” Rax said, pressing another button on his bike. Instantly, the house in front of them vanished and was replaced with a new one.

“What… was that?” Ajib asked in shock.